Fluid motor for lubricant pumps



March 24,A 1942. R. H'ATR FLUIDVMOTOR FOR LUBRICANT PUMPS Filed Dec. '7, 1938 y 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 12,2 :IZ H2 115 32 omz.

kan@

R. L. HARTER FLUID MOTOR FORLUBRICANT PUMPS March 24, 1942.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. '7, `1938 fave/202514 erl. .f2/affair' y l@ M Patented Mar. 24, 1942 UNITED STATES 11i-@TENT OFFICE 2,277,641v y FLUm Moron Foa IUnarfnlxcrv PUMPS Robert L. Harten. Chicago, Ill., assignor to Stewart-Warner Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Virginia Application December 7, 1938, Serial No. 244,363

11 claims. f(c1.'121 '15'z) My invention relates generally to lubricating apparatus and more particularly to lubricant compressors of the pneumatically operated type.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved pneumatically operated lubricant compressor having an improved form of valve for controlling the operation of the compressor.

A further object is to provide an improved pneumatic power means for operating a reciprocatory pump.`

A further object is to provide an improved lubricant compressor which will automatically stop after completing one cycle of operation.

A further object is to provide an improved lubricant compressor of the single stroke type,

which may be used as a lubricant metering device for dispensing measured quantities of lubricant.

A further object is to provide an improved lubricant compressor of the single stroke type in which 'the length of the stroke may be adjusted to vary the displacement of the pump piston.

Other objects will appear from the following description, reference -being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved lubricant compressor, shown as mounted upon a lubricant barrel or drum, illustrating the manner in which the compressor is used;

Figure 2 is a central, Vertical, sectional view of the compressor;

Figures 3 and 4 are transverse, sectional views taken on the lines 3 3 'and 4-4 respectively, ofFigure2;

YFigure 5 is a plan view of the compressor; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modiied form of the invention.

The lubricant compressor of' my invention is adapted for use in service stations and the like, particularly for withdrawing greasel and other lubricants from the original drums or barrels in which such products are shipped, compressors of this type being customarily referred to as barrel pumps. The compressor is therefore shown in Fig. l as mounted in a drum I0, the compressor, designated generally -by the reference numeral |12, being supplied with air under pressure through a hose I4, and the lubricant discharged from the compressor being conveyed to the partto be supplied with lubricant by a hose it at the free end of which there is a hand operated valve i8 having -a pipe extension 20 which may have a suitable coupler 22 attached thereto for coupling engagement with a lubricant receiving tting. Under some circumstances,

the compressor may be utilized to supply lubricant directly to the bearings of a machine-to 'ber lubricated, by connecting the coupler 22 to fittings `attached to the bearings, in the usual manner, although in most instances it will be used to refill the lbarrels or reservoirs of portable manually or power operatedV grease guns.

As best shown in Fig. 2, the compressor comprises a cylinder 24 having a foot valve seat 26 secured at'the lower end thereof, the foot valve seat having a guide 28 secured thereto for a foot valve 30. The upper end of the cylinder 24 is threaded in a body casting 32, which in Fig. 2

is shown as resting in a recess formed in an inlet fitting 34, which is welded to the top 36 of the drum I0. A piston 38 is reciprocable in the lcylinder 24, and is provided with external annular grooves 40 to receive suitable ring packings 42,

A piston rod 44 is secured to the piston 38 and has a reduced diameter portion 46 forming a guide for a check valve 48, which, during the upward stroke of the piston, closes the upper end of the bore 50 which extends through the piston, and upon the downward stroke of the pistonopens in the usual manner to permit the lubricant vto flow through the piston.

The upper end of the piston rod carries an air piston comprising a pair of opposed cup leathers 52 separated -by-,a backing plate 54 and having cup leather formers 56 to retain the anges ofthe cup leathers in contact with the bore of the motor `cylinder 58. The piston is assembled upon a pair of flanged collars 60 and clampedv upon a reduced diameter end portion 62 of the piston rod 44 by means of la castellated nut 64.

A' head 66 is secured to the body casting 32 by a plurality of. tie bolts 68, and the motor cylinder 58 is thus clamped between the base casting 32 and the head 66, suitable gaskets 10 and 12, respectively, being interposed to seal the ends of the cylinder 58 a'aginst these parts.

Upward Amovement of the piston rod 44 is lirnited by an adjustable set screw 14 which may be locked infadjusted position by a nut 16. By vproper adjustment of this set screw 14, the length ofthe stroke of the piston rod may be varied so as to cause the ldischarge of a predetermined quantity of lubricant upon` each cycle of operation of the compressor. A protective shell 18 surrounds the tie bolts 68 and other parts, the ends of the shell `tting in suitable annular grooves formed in the upper edge of the base casting 32 and in the lower edge of the head 66.v

The compressed air or other power fluid supplied through the hose I4, is controlled by means of a valve 80 (Fig. 1) through a tting 82, which is secured to the base casting by means of cap screws 84. The fitting 82 forms a closure for a D-slide valve chamber 88 within which is secured a valve seat 88 having ports 90, 92, and 94. The port 92 leads to a passageway 96, which forms a discharge passageway for the exhaust of the air motor to the atmosphere. The port 90 communicates with an upwardly extending passageway 98 which leads to the lower end of the air motor cylinder 58, while the port 94 communicates with a passageway which leads to the upper end of the air cylinder, the air being conveyed through a tube |02 located between the cylinder 58 and shell 18, the upper end of the tube communicating with a duct |04 leading to a recess |08` formed in the inner surface of the head 6E. The ends of the tube are suitably sealed by means of packings |08, to prevent the escape of air.

A further passageway ||0 leads from the valve chamber 86 to the upper end of a vertical bore ||2 (Fig. 2) formed in the base casting 32. A valve seat I I4 is secured in the upper end of the bore ||2 by an airtight press i'lt, the valve seat having an annular groove ||8 formed therein to register with the passageway ||0 and having a plurality of radial ports H8 formed therein. A valve |20 is cooperable with the conical seating surface formed at the lower end of the valve seat I4, and is adapted to be operated by means of a valve stem |22, which is slidable in a vertical bore 24 formed in the base casting 32. The valve |20 is normally held against its seat by a compression ccil spring |25 which rests upon a plug |28 threaded in the lower end of the bore ||2.

The bore ||2 communicates with a tube |30 through an elbow-shaped passageway |32, the upper end of the tube |30 communicating with a suitable passageway |34, the outer edge of which is enlarged and threaded to receive a street L |36. A relief valve |38 is threaded in the L |35, being provided with a seating surface |40 which is adapted to be closed by a ball valve |42. The ball valve is adapted to be raised from its seating surface |40 by a manually operated plunger |44 which has a stem |40 engageable with the valve, the plunger |44 being guided in a suitable bushing |48 threaded in the lower end of the relief valve |38. When the plunger |44 is pressed upwardly to raise the valve |42 from its seating surface, a free passageway for the exhaust of air from the bore I I2 is provided, the air exhausting to the atmosphere through ducts |50 formed in the body of the relief valve |38.

The plunger |44 may be operated directly or by remote control through a suitable Bowden wire or similar connection. A D--slide valve |52 (Fig. 3) is secured to its stem, |54 by means of a suitable yoke |58, one end of the stem being guided in a bore |58 formed in the base casting 32 and the other end projecting through a bushing |00. A poppet valve surface |02 is formed on the stem |54 for engagement with the end of the bore of the bushing |80, and a combination piston and valve member |84 formed of thin sheet metal is likewise secured to the stem |54. The D-slide valve |52 is normally held in its rightmost position, substantially as shown in Fig. 3, by a compression coil spring which is carried in an apertured plug |08 threaded in the enlarged end of the bore |10. When moved to its leftmost position, the piston valve |84 engages the end surface |1| of the plug |08. The bore |10 communicates with the vertical bore ||2 through a passageway |12.

In using the compressor, it will be placed in a drum I0, containing lubricant, and the piston rod 44, with the pistons carried thereby, will normally be in the position in which these parts are shown in Fig. 2. When the operator desires to discharge a certain amount of lubricant from the compressor, he will press upwardly upon the plunger |44, thus opening the relief valve |42 and venting the bores ||2 and |10 (through the passageway |12) to the atmosphere. Under these circumstances, the spring |60 acting upon the slide valve stem |54 will move the valve |52 to the right, to connect the lower end of the air cylinder 58 to the atmosphere through the passageway 98, ports 92 and 92, and passageway 86. At the same time, air under pressure will be supplied to the upper end of the air cylinder 58 through the port 94, passageway |00, tube |02, and duct |04. The air piston will thus be subjected to pressure on its upper surface, whereas its lower surface will be at atmospheric pressure, and the piston will therefore be forced downwardly.

During the downward motion of the piston, lubricant will be trapped between the foot valve 30 and the piston, and will be displaced past the piston va1ve48 into the upper end of the cylinder 24. A certain amount of the lubricant within the cylinder 24 will be displaced by the piston rod 44 and discharged through the hose I6 to the part to which lubricant is being supplied.

Near the end of the downward stroke of the air piston, it will strike the upper end of the stem |22, thus opening the valve |20 and readmitting air under pressure to the bores ||2 and I 10, through the passageway ||0, port H8, and passageway |12. When the portion of the bore 10 to the right of the piston |54 is thus subjected to the pressure of the air supply, it will be forced to the left (Fig. 3) against the force of the spring |66, thereby moving the D- slide valve |52 to its other extreme position, where it is effective to interconnect the ports 92 and 94, and to uncover the port 90.

When the D-slide valve is thus moved to its leftmost position, air under pressure is supplied through the port and passageway 98 to the lower end of the air cylinder 58 and at the same timeair from the upper end of the air cylinder 58 is permitted to exhaust to the atmosphere through the passageway |00, port 94, port 92, and passageway 96. As a result of the differential pressures upon the opposite faces of the air piston, it will be moved upwardly until its movement is arrested by engagement of the upper end of the stem 44 with the lower extremity of the adjusting screw 14. During this upward movement of the air piston, the valve 48 will close the passageway through the lubricant pumping piston 38 and lubricant in the cylinder 34 above the piston 38 will therefore be discharged through thehose I6. At the same time, lubricant from adjacent the bottom of the drum I0 will be sucked into the lower end of the cylinder 24 past the foot valve 30. In this manner, the operator may, by temporarily pressing the plunger |44 upwardly, cause the initiation of a cycle of operation of the pump. Of course, this cycle of operation may be arrested if the discharge valve I8 is closed prior to the completion of the operating cycle.

The bore through the bushing |60 is of slightacampar ly larger diameter tha-mathe valve? stem. |50; and thus. slight'l leakage of. airmay4 take place; to replenish. any air lost'v because of"l`eakage=past' the pistonv |64. It will be understood` that in the operationiof the apparatus,` the mechanism'- Willl complete one cycle of operation andy stop, provided the-lubricant discharge valve |81 isfheld` open during? the complete cycle of: operation; The 'apparatus may thus be used' as a= measuring pump; and? for this purposethe adjustable vstop 1'4`maybe turned in or out to vary thelengthroff' stroke off therpiston, and" thus'. accurately adjust the apparatus forv the discharge of." ai predetermined? quantity: of lubricantduring each cycle off operation;

Under.- some circumstances it" may be desired to. have, theA pumping mechanisml operate continuously' as.v long. as' the' lubricantdischarge'- valve I8- is held open. Underl these" circumstances,. the pumpuwill-be provided with a-` modied form of head' |19ishown in- Fig- 6.' In this modiiied form of the' invention, the street L pressure to the opposite-ends of said cylinder l alternately; a means for controlling the operation' oi? saidfvalve; said'f last named' means comprising a' piston member operatively connected:

to saidlva'lve, a` spring operable to` move said |36. (FigureZl' is replacedlbyy aplug ITG, and-the tube |30.vv communicates with alhorizontal? passageway |18. A checkyalve fitting |'80is1threaded in. the head |191 A ballE valvef |82 i's` held iirmly against its seat` byK a strong compression coil spring |84. secured within the fittingi |80'. The spring is ofv sufficient' strength witlrrespect` to the area of the valve |82, which issubjected to airypressure from the passageway |`|8l; that the valve Will'be held against its seat against the normal air pressure of thecom'pressed air supply. The Valve |82 is adaptedtolbe raised from itsseat by a plunger` Iwhich is verticallyx slidable in a packed, guide bushing |88'. Thelower end ofthe plunger` |86 has: a head Mil'- formed thereon. for vengagenlent with: they end of Athe piston rodI 44; From. the aboveA descriptionor the construction-tof Fig; 6,' itiwillfbe seenl that as' the motor-piston approaches the-upper endofits stroke, the pistonM rod 441Williengagethe endof the plunger |86, |90', and through thev latter raise the valve |82 fromA its seat, thus-ventingthe passageway |'|8fto.the, atmosphere, and-there by.` causingutheA sequence of operations* previously described. The operation'l ofther pumping mechanism will thus be continuous-asf long' asithe lubricant discharge Valvev |82! isv held'y open.

WhileI have shown and. described particularl embodiments of myi'nvention, iti willi be apparent to those skilled' in the art that numerousv variations and alterations thereof! may be' made without departing fromv theI underlying principles of the invention'. IA therefore desire, by-I the following claims, to.- include; within the scope of myl invention all suchvariations), modiii'cations, and equivalent` constructionsV whereby' sub-- stantially` the results.v of myy invention may bei obtained. py-substantially the samemeans.

Iclaim: 1. Ina fluid pressure motor, the combination of a cylinder.,A a. piston reciprocable'v therein; a valve forr controlling` the application ciE luidpressurer to the opposite ends of1 said cylinder, andi meansfior controlling the operation of saidlvalve; said last named means comprising a piston-member connected to saidvalve, a cylinder for said piston member, conduit" means to supplyfluid' under' pressure to one side of said piston member thereby moving. said. valve in one direction), manually operable means for relieving the fluid pressure on said piston member, a spring operable to move said` valve iny the opposite`l4 direct-ion; a second valve, operable bysaidE piston, t`oopen valve-in oneL direction,- conduit means for applying fluid* pressure to said piston member to move' said valve in the oppositel direction, manually operable means for venting the fluid pressurey appliedl to said-valve, thereby to" permit movement of said valve under the influence of said spring; and a'` valve in said conduit to controlr the flow of pressure fluid therethrough and opera-tedbyA the motion or said piston.

3; In a fluid pressure motor, the-combination of a cylinder, apiston reciprocable therein, a valve-for controlling;theappli'cation of fluid pressure tothe opposite ends of said cylinder alternately, and means forl controlling the operation of` said valve, said? last named means comprising a piston member connected to said valve, a spring for'movingjsaidvalve in one direction, conduit means'- for applying uid pressure" to said piston member to move said valve in the oppositel direction; a manuallyoperable valve for relieving the fluid'pressure upon said piston member, a second' valve to control the flowy of iiuid through said conduit" means,` means'v for openingI said second valveby'Y thev movement of said piston toward the endfofits motion in one direction, resilient means biased te close` said valve, and a manually adjustable stopcontrolling the distance said pisofi said valve, said-lastnamed means comprising a cylindrical chambery a piston connected to said valve and reciprocable'in said chamber, vmeans operated by said first named piston as `the latter approaches one end of its stroke to admit fluid under pressure to said chamber, means operated by said rst named pistonv as it vapproaches the opposite end of its strokefor yven-ting said chamber., a spring for-movingI said piston member upon-venti'ng ofisaid chamber, a small passage connecting said'cylindri'cali chamber with a source of fluid" pressure; andfy means operated'v by said piston member to' closesaid" passage when said piston rriemberI is moved: by said spring.

5`. In a4 fluidf pressure motor for lubricant pumpingaDparatus'the combination oi` a power cylinder, a power piston reciprocable inv said' cylinder, a source of'pr'essure-v fluid; anda means for alternately connecting said sourcey with the opposite enfl`s-of'saicl'l power cylindensaid means comprisingfa housing having a valve chamber therein connected tosaidf source', a two-position slide valve movable withinl said chamber, a pushpull' rodl to` reciprocate' said slide valve, anauxiliary'cylindernear said-*valve chamber and con.-

, nected thereto by al restricted4 opening, said pushpulliro'd extending into said auxiliaryv cylinder through said restricted' opening and providing' an annular passage around the push-pull ro'd and through said restricted opening, a valve control piston on said push-pull rod and positioned in said auxiliary cylinder, said valve control piston movable away from the restricted opening under the influence of pressure fluid flowing into the auxiliary cylinder from said source of pressure uid, a valve operable for venting said auxiliary cylinder to the atmosphere to relieve the pressure therein, resilient means operable to move the push-pull rod in the opposite direction when the pressure in said auxiliary cylinder drops below a certain level, a valve member on said push-pull rod to close said restricted opening when the push-pull rod is moved in the said opposite direction, and a second valve operable to connect the auxiliary cylinder with the said source of pressure fluid.

6. In a, uid pressure motor for lubricant pumping apparatus, the combination of a power cylinder, a power piston reciprocable in said cylinder, a source of pressure fluid, 'and a means for alternately connecting said source with the opposite ends of said power cylinder, said means comprising a housing having a valve chamber therein connected to said source, a two-position slide valve movable Within said chamber, a pushpull rod to reciprocate said slide valve, an auxiliary cylinder near said valve chamber and connected thereto by a restricted opening, said pushpull rod extending into said auxiliary cylinder through said restricted opening and providing an annular passage around the push-pull rod and through said restricted opening, a valve control piston on said push-pull rod and positioned in said auxiliary cylinder, said valve control piston movable away from the restricted opening under the influence of pressure fluid ilowing into the auxiliary cylinder from said source of pressure fluid, a valve operable for venting said auxiliary cylinder to the atmosphere to relieve the pressure of said fluid therein, resilient means operable to move the push-pull rod in the opposite direction when said pressure is relieved, a valve member on said push-pull rod to close said restricted opening when the push-pull rod is moved in the said opposite direction, a second valve operable to connect the lauxiliary cylinder with the said source of pressure fluid, and means operable by the power piston to open either said second Valve or said valve operable for venting said auxiliary cylinder, the other of the last named two valves being manually operable.

7. In a fluid pressure motor for lubricant pumping apparatus, the combination of a power cylinder, a power piston reciprocable in said cylinder, a source of pressure fluid, and a means for alternately connecting said source with the opposite ends of said power cylinder, said means comprising a housing having a valve chamber therein connected to said source, a two-position slide valve movable within said chamber, a pushpull rod to reciprocate said slide valve, an auxiliary cylinder near said valve chamber and connected thereto by a restricted opening, said pushpull rod extending into said auxiliary cylinder through said restricted opening and providing an annular passage around the push-pull rod and through said restricted opening, a valve control piston on said push-pull rod and positioned in said auxiliary cylinder, said valve control piston movable away from the restricted opening under the influence of pressure fluid flowing into the auxiliary cylinder, a valve operable for venting said auxiliary cylinder to the atmosphere to permit pressure fluid to flow therefrom to relieve the iiuid pressure-therein, a spring operable to move the push-pull rod in the opposite direction when the pressure in said auxiliary cylinder is relieved, a valve member on said push-pull rod to close said restricted opening when the pushpull rod is moved in the said opposite direction, a second valve operable to connect the auxiliary cylinder with the said valve chamber, said valves being positioned at opposite ends of the power cylinder, and means operable by the power piston to open said valves alternately.

8.In a fluid pressure motor, the combination of a power cylinder, a power piston reciprocable in said cylinder, a source of pressure uid, and a means for alternately connecting said source with .the opposite ends of said power cylinder, said means comprising a housing having a valve chamber therein connected to said source, a twoposition slide valve movable within said chamber, reciprocatingmeans -connected to said slide valve, an auxiliary cylinder near said valve chamber and connected thereto by a restricted opening, said reciprocating means extending into said auxiliary cylinder through said restricted opening and providing a passage around the reciprocating means and through said restricted opening, a valve control piston on said reciprocating means and positioned in said auxiliary cylinder, said valve control piston movable away from the restricted opening under the influence of pressure fluid ilowing into the auxiliary cylinder, a Valve operable for venting saidauxiliary cylinder to the atmosphere to relieve the fluid pressure therein, a spring operable to move the reciprocating means -ln the opposite direction when said pressure is relieved, means to close said restricted opening when the reciprocating means is moved in the said opposite direction, and a second valve operable to connect the auxiliary cylinder with the said valve chamber.

9. In a fluid pressure motor, the combination of a power cylinder, a power piston reciprocable in said cylinder, a source of pressure fluid, and a means for alternately connecting said source with the opposite ends of said power cylinder, said means comprising a housing having a valve chamber therein connected to said source, a twoposition slide valve movable within said chamber, an auxiliary cylinder near said valve chamber and connected thereto by a restricted opening, a valve control piston positioned in saidauxiliary cylinder, a reciprocating means connecting said valve control piston to said slide valve, said valve control piston movable in one direction under the iniiuence of pressure iluid owing into the auxiliary cylinder, a valve operable'for venting said auxiliary cylinder to the atmosphere to permit pressure fluid to flow therefrom thereby relieving the fluid pressure therein, a spring operable to move the reciprocating means vin the opposite direction when said pressure is relieved, means to close said restricted opening when the reciprocating means is `moved in the said oppositedirection, and a second valve operable to connect the auxiliary cylinder with the said valve chamber.l

10. In a fluid pressure motor, the combination of a power cylinder, a power piston reciprocable in said cylinder, a source of pressure fluid, and a means for alternately connecting said source with the opposite ends of said power cylinder, said means comprising a housing having a valve chamber therein connected to said source, a

l two-position slide valve movable lwithin said chamber, an auxiliary cylinder near said valve chamber and connected thereto by a restricted opening, a valve control piston positioned in said auxiliary cylinder, a reciprocating means connecting said valve control piston to said slide valve, said valve control piston movable in one direction under the influence of pressure fluid ilowng into the auxiliary cylinderl a valve operable for venting said auxiliary cylinder to the atmosphere to relieve the fluid pressure therein, a spring operable to move the reciprocating means in the opposite direction when said uid pressure is relieved, means to close said restricted opening when the reciprocating means is moved in the said opposite direction, a second valve operable to connect the auxiliary cylinder with the said valve chamber, and means operable by the power piston to open at least one of said Valves.

11. In a fluid pressure motor the combination of a power cylindery a power piston reciprocable in said cylinder, a source of pressure iluid, and a means for alternately connecting said source with the opposite ends of said power cylinder,

said means comprising a housing having a Valve chamber therein connected to said source, a twoposition slide valve movable within said chamber, an auxiliary cylinder near said valve chamber and connected thereto by a restricted opening, a valve control piston positioned in said auxiliary cylinder, a reciprocating means connecting said Valve control piston to said slide valve, said valve control piston movable in one direction under the influence of pressure uid owing into the auxiliary cylinder, a valve operable for venting said auxiliary cylinder to the atmosphere to permit pressure uid to Iiow therefrom thereby relieving the fluid pressure therein, aspring operable to move the reciprocating means in the opposite direction when said fluid pressure is relieved, means to close said restricted opening when the reciprocating means is moved in the said opposite direction, a second valve operable to connect the auxiliary cylinder with the said valve chamber, and means operable by the 'power piston to open one of said valves, the other of said valves adapted for manual operation.

ROBERT L. HARTER. 

